A terrible realization about BYU

[Portland Ute]

BYU and Utah were the only teams with any value in the whole damned conference. TCU has a nice football program, but no fans. BYU started looking at independence ~ three years ago, and realized that financially, it was a no-brainer. But with Utah still in the MWC, loyalty kept us together.

As to money - unless BYU runs into scheduling problems that hurt them in the long-run (basically this would mean that the cozy relationship they've built with ESPN would have fallen apart), they'll likely make more money than Utah year-in and year-out. They're looking at $10 million a year as a conservative starting point for TV money, but it could be more than that, especially when you add in basketball TV / streaming revenue. And that doesn't include bowl money, which won't be shared with anyone. BYU could easily clear another $2 million a year just for going to the Holiday Bowl. Averaging $12 - $15 million a year is really not out of the question.

The sky is the limit for TV money for BYU athletics when KSL is involved...

[LA Ute]

The other day I was going to start a thread asking how much members of each fan base know about their rival. I'm always impressed by the extent to which some here follow both programs. For my part, right now I can name one Ute football player (Jordan Wynn) and no basketball players (Marshall Henderson is the only name I can think of, and I can't remember if he's still with them).

That would be an interesting thread. I can't name BYU's starting 5 in basketball (I can name only Jimmer, in fact).

In football I can name the following current BYU players:

Heaps (gee, I wonder why?)
Nelson (because I love to tease Goat about him)
Pendleton (don't recall why, don't know what position he plays)
Reynolds (coach's kid)

Beyond that I cannot go. Seriously. It's actually kind of surprising. But all I know about Cougar football is what I read here, and when it comes to sports I only post on rivalry stuff.

[byu71]

The other day I was going to start a thread asking how much members of each fan base know about their rival. I'm always impressed by the extent to which some here follow both programs. For my part, right now I can name one Ute football player (Jordan Wynn) and no basketball players (Marshall Henderson is the only name I can think of, and I can't remember if he's still with them).

I myself have Utah as my second favorite team. I am a big fan of Whits. I also have many close friends who are Utes. That being said, I don't know anymore about their players than you do.

[MarkGrace]

It would kind of be fun for me to be a Ute fan like SU and see if I would still be obsessed with what BYU does and why they do it. I think I would't care, but I don't know for sure.

The other day I was going to start a thread asking how much members of each fan base know about their rival. I'm always impressed by the extent to which some here follow both programs. For my part, right now I can name one Ute football player (Jordan Wynn) and no basketball players (Marshall Henderson is the only name I can think of, and I can't remember if he's still with them).

[CardiacCoug]

One of the most interesting things about the recent development is learning that Cougarboard really is a reflection of the mentality of BYU's leadership. It's a terrible realization.

Let's all be honest with ourselves, okay? BYU going independent is not based on any rational due dilligence. It's just a demonstration of its monstrous insecurity. BYU can't bear to be in a lesser conference than Utah. BYU is acting out like a child. BYU is as immature as a five year old.

Also, this flaky behavior only reinforces the concerns that have kept BYU out of a big conference. It can't help BYU get into the Big 12. BYU will make itself a laughingstock of the nation before this is over.

For starters, I'm sure every school in the MWC and the WAC hates BYU.

Classic post here. Thanks SU.

The main problem I have with BYU's leadership is that they ever agreed to the mtn/CSTV/Versus deal in the first place. Who cares if there is very little money? It's the fact that BYU and the entire conference dropped of the face of the national landscape for the last several years based on the deal that really sucks. What were they thinking?

It's about time BYU started throwing its weight around and getting some concessions from the MWC, a la Texas in the Big 12. BYU is no Notre Dame, but they're no SDSU either, and it seems like the BYU administration finally understands that fact.

Looking at it from BYU's perspective, I don't think it's about the money or about being jealous of Utah -- it's about distribution and visibility, which absolutely sucks as part of the MWC. Hopefully the latest rumors are true and we can stay in the MWC for non-football and go independent in football with an ESPN deal.

[byu71]

It would kind of be fun for me to be a Ute fan like SU and see if I would still be obsessed with what BYU does and why they do it. I think I would't care, but I don't know for sure.

[MarkGrace]

I thought the joke was lo0ser?

Though I'm not sure I ever knew why it was a joke.

[SeattleUte]

OMG! your such a looser!

That's an old BYU/Ute Internet joke.

[ERCougar]

lol applauding your own post. What a looser.

OMG! your such a looser!

[SeattleUte]

You love to think about BYU a lot, don't you? I bet you have a lot of "terrible realizations" about BYU completely not precipitated by or related to your leaving BYU's sponsoring institution. Good for you.. you are just the critical thinker you burn so many calories trying to convince the rest of us that you are!

lol applauding your own post. What a looser.

[Brian]

Gag.
Spare us the drama that Utah-BYU was a happily married couple, devoted and true. And then the hot secretary at work volunteered to help Utah out on the next business trip, and spoiled the perfect marriage.

[MarkGrace]

Exactly because BYU just started building this multi-million dollar broadcast facility this past June when they heard Utah was going to the Pac-10, they also just recently bought a 50 million dollar HD truck none of this was in the works until Utah got that Pac-10 invite. We can not stand that Utah is going to the Pac-10 so lets go out and blow hundreds of millions just to keep up with a team who has a smaller fan base, less tradition and dick head fans.

Good call SU you have BYU pegged once again.

lol! It's 7:40 on Friday night and I'm still at work so I needed that laugh. Well done.

[Maximus]

WCC would be fine. So would a terrible WAC patched-up with Montanas and Idaho States. NCAA tourney guarantees invites to league champs. They just need games and a league.

And when the Big12 comes calling...

We cant assume anythign about the big 12. I dont want 4-6 football games against a league with a best team of hawaii. I dont want our bball program to go to the crapper.

[statman]

The problem is...now there is no where for the other sports to go.

WCC would be fine. So would a terrible WAC patched-up with Montanas and Idaho States. NCAA tourney guarantees invites to league champs. They just need games and a league.

And when the Big12 comes calling...

[Maximus]

BYU and Utah were the only teams with any value in the whole damned conference. TCU has a nice football program, but no fans. BYU started looking at independence ~ three years ago, and realized that financially, it was a no-brainer. But with Utah still in the MWC, loyalty kept us together.

As to money - unless BYU runs into scheduling problems that hurt them in the long-run (basically this would mean that the cozy relationship they've built with ESPN would have fallen apart), they'll likely make more money than Utah year-in and year-out. They're looking at $10 million a year as a conservative starting point for TV money, but it could be more than that, especially when you add in basketball TV / streaming revenue. And that doesn't include bowl money, which won't be shared with anyone. BYU could easily clear another $2 million a year just for going to the Holiday Bowl. Averaging $12 - $15 million a year is really not out of the question.

The problem is...now there is no where for the other sports to go.